May the Lord give you grace and peace in the Holy Spirit.
It is on 26th May 2023. We reflect on Acts 25:13-21 and John 21:15-19.
Can our love contend with words?
Silent sacrifices and successive surrender without expecting to be loved in return are the beginning of authentic love. How hard and challenging today in our families to prove love for one another? The proofs of love are constantly put to the test by the events and issues that pop up every day. Words and emotions are not enough to prove our love for the Lord and one another.
The first reading discusses how much Paul had to go through for the love of the Risen Lord. The signature of love is soaked and signed in the tears, and turmoil of the heart and life.
Jesus enquires about the depth of love with Peter who denied Him three times. The triple confession of Peter’s love is the response to the triple denial.
Our apologies do not minimize the pain we have caused on the one we love. Jesus does not demand an apology for the betrayals of the past, but He wants our assurance of love in the actions of charity and compassion shown to the humanity around us.
Loving, tending, and knowing the one we love never dries up in the moisture of sacrifice and suffering. Living for love is more challenging and demanding than loving to live for someone. When our eyes are blinded by lust, romance, and fun, we promise to die for someone. But, if our hearts are filled with selfless love, we promise to live for the person we love.
What will be our response to the Lord, if we were to be asked: “Do you love me?”
Can we be honest like Peter to say: “Lord, You know everything, You know that I love You!” (Jn.21:16)?
It is in the complicated dynamism of love for one another, that divine love is tasted.
May the Lord help us to love Him without pretence, prejudice, and past brokenness and hurts. May you have a good day. God bless you.